Afghanistan Close to Victory as Rashid Khan Shines with 10-Wicket Match Haul

Afghanistan’s spinner Rashid Khan took six wickets consecutively on the 4th day of the 2nd Test against Zimbabwe at Bulawayo and put his side in a winning position. Zimbabwe, thus, lost eight wickets to reach 205 for the loss of eight wickets, thus requiring 72 more runs to win, and the fifth day at Queens Sports Club may see Afghanistan clinch the win.

Rashid who is already famous as a T20 star of the field proved his mettle in the tests by picking up 6-66 in Zimbabwe’s second innings. This comes after he had taken 4-94 in the first innings of the game to become only the third player to pick up a ten-wicket haul in a Test match. It is noteworthy that in his sixth Test match, Rashid has taken five five-wicket hauls which prove that he is one of the best bowlers in the world.

Ismat Alam's Century Sets Up Afghanistan

Earlier in the day, Afghanistan continued to build on its position by coming up with a strong second innings total of 363. The debutant Ismat Alam was the shining star who made a brilliant debut century with the bat after making a duck in the first innings. He was the only batsman from Afghanistan to reach the three-figure mark as he made 101(9x4, 181b). Alam was finally out lbw to Blessing Muzarabani and got caught at mid-wicket. Zimbabwe batsmen, including Muzarabani and Ngarava, were also able to pick crucial wickets to restrict Afghanistan but the latter had already taken an unbeatable lead by the end of the first innings.

Rashid's Game-Changing Spell

Zimbabwe chasing 276, battled back through Sikandar Raza and the captain Craig Ervine, who came together for the fifth wicket to add 58 runs. Nevertheless, Rashid Khan's brilliance turned off the match.

Raza who had made 38 runs in 83 deliveries attempted to hit a short ball and was caught at silly mid-off. Rashid then clean-bowled Sean Williams and Brian Bennett in the next few deliveries. Williams who was struggling with a back injury mistimed his sweep stroke while Bennett was struck by a ball that seemed to hold the pitch before pitching upright.

Rashid had clean-swept Dion Myers earlier in the innings and Zimbabwe was now crumbling. The side’s expectations are now pinned on their captain Craig Ervine whose aggressive knock of 53 runs meant that he didn’t lose his wicket before the end of the day’s play. Ervine, 39 years of age, has hit six and four boundaries during his 97 deliveries’ knock.

Decisive Final Day Ahead

Zimbabwe will require a tremendous fight on the last day of the game in order to capture the remaining 72 runs which are needed to win, while Afghanistan on the other hand needs only two wickets to create one of the greatest test victories of all time. Both teams are looking for a Test victory after having defeated each other in Abu Dhabi four years ago. It was Rashid Khan’s spell that turned the match in Afghanistan’s favour and he was also instrumental in enhancing his image as one of the world’s best bowlers.